There are few cities in the world where one man splits opinion as much as Carlos Tevez does in Manchester.
Tevez retired on Saturday at the age of 38 and despite having won two Premier League titles and a Champions League crown with Manchester United, the former Argentina forward could understandably expect a more welcome reception from Sheffield United fans than from the red half of Manchester. His departure angered Sir Alex Ferguson and delighted Manchester City supporters.
After arriving at City, Tevez was inevitably asked whether money was his primary incentive to join Mark Hughes' team. Of course, City were and still are rich, and we'll probably never know if Tevez was telling the truth when he said it wasn't an important factor in his decision-making, but his comments from 2009 would barely be questioned if he made them in 2022.
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"City showed me their ambition to be one of the biggest clubs in the world and I was happy to join," he explained. "Money was not the most important thing about my move.
"I have a coach who wants me and a good fanbase and environment around me. I'm excited about working with Mark Hughes and building a good relationship with him."
Money helped to set the ball rolling at what would soon be called the Etihad, but the vision of managers since then has allowed City to continue to greater levels. Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini and Pep Guardiola have all managed to build wonderful sides that can compete with the world's best.
Guardiola, however, has managed to take City to a level that even Tevez may not have foreseen. The fact that 97 points in 2018/19 and 92 points in the season just gone was only good enough for a second-place finish behind City is remarkable.
Pep's identity radiates from the bench out onto the pitch and throughout the foundations of the Etihad. The likes of Erling Haaland this summer will no longer be hit with the same money questions as Tevez had to endure.
A handsome salary is now just an added bonus of winning some of the country's biggest competitions at an alarmingly regular pace. City and Liverpool now find themselves lightyears ahead of the rest of the Premier League.
The crowning achievement to cement the club's legacy for years to come will be to win the Champions League. Should Guardiola achieve this feat then that would be incredible but it should not tarnish his legacy if he falls short.
What he has managed to accomplish in his spell at the Etihad so far in itself is remarkable. European glory is coming to City, it is only a matter of time, and when it does, Tevez will have every right to feel justified.
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